Four Navy minesweepers will be on their way to the Persian Gulf within weeks as part of an effort to boost American military capability in the region amid rising tensions with Iran, a Navy official says.

The minesweepers will be loaded onto cargo ships leaving the United States in late April, according to the Navy official.
The deployments were publicly confirmed by Adm. Jonathan Greenert, chief of naval operations, earlier this month in testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee.

"We are moving four more mine sweeps to the theater," he said. "That'll make eight. We are moving airborne mine countermeasure helicopters. That'll take us to eight in theater. And ... those, working with the British mine sweeps there, which we exercise with frequently, sets us up a little bit there."

Each of the ships - the USS Sentry (MCM 3), USS Devastator (MCM 6), USS Pioneer (MCM 9) and USS Warrior (MCM 10) - carries a crew of about 60. All are equipped to detect and neutralize mines.

The Navy this month also sent to the region four additional MH-53 Sea Dragon helicopters, which also have the capability to locate and destroy mines.

The additional deployments are part of an effort by Gen. James Mattis, head of the U.S. Central Command, to beef up the American military presence in the region in the face of Iranian threats to shut down the Strait of Hormuz.

The United States has long believed that if Iran tried to shut the strait down it would begin by seeding the waters with mines, which would keep both commercial and military shipping from operating. The Navy is increasingly concerned about Iran's use of undersea mines, which may be tethered to the sea floor and are difficult to detect.

New detection and destruction technologies including lasers are being developed but have yet to be deployed.

So far, Mattis has not requested additional aircraft carrier deployments, but several military officials say the effort is to keep two carrier groups in the region as much as possible. None of the officials would speak on the record due the sensitivity of discussing military deployments to the region.

The Navy is also finishing up refitting the USS Ponce (LPD-15) as a floating staging base. It's expected to also be sent to the region in the next few months, manned by a military and civilian crew. It will provide refueling, resupply and maintenance operations for minesweepers, aircraft and patrol craft at sea in the region.

soundoff(923 Responses)

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I find it funny that all of these arguments started over sending a few more minesweepers into the Arabian Gulf. The MCM's and MH-53's are not used to attack foreign countries. If the Straits of Hormuz are mined that means it is an attack mainly because they will also have to mine UAE's waters. If this happens we will clear the way for Naval and Merchant traffic so the lanes of international commerce stay open.

Its absolutly brainless, is it any wonder peoples all over the world are turning against the U.S. How would Americans feel if someone did all this military buildup next to your shores, this is a very very poor foreign policy it doesnt work and its time to admit it, and get the hell out of the mid east and get your own house in order .

Reall, take care of your own house? do you see the cost of oil, do you not see a nuclear iran as a bad thing? simply put, they are over there taking care of our house. At lease President Obama is attempting to solve this with policy and not like Bush who would have had boots on the ground already. Get your head out of your rear and understand that the words you say dont make sence to dictators like the ones in the Middle East.

We bash their brains in and destroy all Shiites.The Shiite muslims are far more radical than the Sunni muslims. You win wars and get rid of your enemies by dropping a nuclear bomb on their country and having them cry "Uncle". You win wars by having no conscience and keeping the press out of the country your bombing. You win wars by killing the innocent and making no distinction between civilians and the government your bombing. We can't win wars anymore because we've become "Politically Correct".

Yes, the Germans called this policy of mass murder "Schrecklichkeit." (Terror) It was a prominent feature of their various military campaigns. However it seems they did not win their wars for some reason.

We bash their brains in and destroy all Shiites.The Shiite muslims are far more radical than the Sunni muslims. You win wars and get rid of your enemies by dropping a nuclear bomb on their country and having them cry "Uncle". You win wars by having no conscience and keeping the press out of the country your bombing. You win wars by killing the innocent and making no distinction between civilians and the government your bombing. We can't win wars anymore because we've become "Politically Correct".

Leesten U foukfacef arsewholes U R naught goink two ween. Vee are thee greatest cuntry on ze erth and the US iss just a bagh of brones full to the brim with Faggots Homos and football palyers who R prubably fags two. Sro......fuck U all!

Israel already has flyover treaty with Saudis and an oddball Emergency Clause. While Israel does not have such with Syria it looks quite possible that either the present ruler falls or country becomes destabilized. Saudis have been ona 7 year millitary update and dislikes Iran with a passion. Do not countout Iraq in this equation US has trained and suppliea Iraq with heavy armaments tbnks and even air power. Israel has a military base in Kurdistan, air strips and where they train Kurd military*yes they have their own seperate forces and are in full effect a US Protectorate with all offices of a nation. US DID NOT LOSE IRAQ IS NO MORE THAN 1/3 OF OLD LAND MAS. KURDISTAN GOT RICHEST SWEET LEAST DEVELOPED FIELDS,IRAQ CANNOT DO ANY IN HOUSE CONSTRUCTION, ALL FOREIGN CONTRACTORS THAT HAVE TO GO THROUGH uS 12 billion a year Embassy. Before armchair potatos study at leart a bit. Think Seige, Seige. seige and compare sanctions! Notice the comparison, and both are military tactics. US WELL KNOWS

We are at a fork in the road, it will depend how this conflict will be deal with. One fork will bring WWIII and the other one will bring a lost of support for US. I say let's find alternatives to resolve this situation. I'm sure there are some out there.

100% well said…couldn't agree more…just got to pray that we have others in power that are thinking the same way...

March 29, 2012 at 11:42 pm |

WarMongers

Thanks DB, i hope too that this will get better and that we can avoid the worst.

March 29, 2012 at 11:46 pm |

The Cold Hard Truth

I say:

We bash their brains in and destroy all Shiites.The Shiite muslims are far more radical than the Sunni muslims. You win wars and get rid of your enemies by dropping a nuclear bomb on their country and having them cry "Uncle". You win wars by having no conscience and keeping the press out of the country your bombing. You win wars by killing the innocent and making no distinction between civilians and the government your bombing. We can't win wars anymore because we've become "Politically Correct".

I'm old enough to be your grandpa evildiaperhead, And i've never seen or heard of a world war situation as worst than this since WWII. Problem was not with the old fellows back then, this is a new generation and it's not even better now than it was back then You need to wake up and see reality like it is. The problem relies on resources, people makes wars for getting others resources and that is a reality.

That is 100% accurate….So do you see this as the next World War? Figured I would ask someone with some wisdom?

March 29, 2012 at 11:23 pm |

WarMongers

Was the question directed at me DB? lol

March 29, 2012 at 11:29 pm |

DB

Yes WarMongers it sure was…What is your opinion?

March 29, 2012 at 11:30 pm |

WarMongers

Well to be honest with you, i would say not necessary. It will all depend on how the US vs Iran dealing will be. The use of any nuclear weapon will surely start a WWIII. But conventional weapons will of course creates divisions within the the world views on US strategies. But it will not start a WWIII. Everything is based of the real reasons why US should invade Iran, if all the explanations for Iran invasion is satisfactory and honest and real then go for it, otherwise try to find alternatives to resolve this situation. I have to admit that we are now at a very boiling situation which is very delicate at this time.

March 29, 2012 at 11:36 pm |

DB

Ok thats about what I figured too. I feel that this is a very fragile situation that could very easily get out of hand…I must admit I am somewhat concerned...

Our Apache helicopters are staging in Kuwait. This is not just for defensive purposes. We need to wake up and demand an end to wasting lives and finances. Our republic is at stake, and the government simply dances will Rome burns. As Americans we need to demand better. It is amazing that we fall for this old act: Pit the classes against each other, keep citizens' focus on their finances and those elected can do whatever they chose with impunity. It is time to wake up. We are not safer because we constantly at war; we are clearly inciting more violence toward ourselves.

I have been telling people World War 3 is about to happen I am telling you dumb idiot Americans wake up and smell the dang roses USA will get there butt handed to them by Iran, China, Russia, North Korea, and Syria.

Thats not a wise comment…Why would Russia or China get involved?? Second if Syria got involved thats even more idiotic…They are have a virtual civil war themselves…Third I do agree it looks like world war 3 is about to start unfortunetly

March 29, 2012 at 11:18 pm |

DB

How do you know that it is not just for defensive purposes??? I will agree the posturing doesn't look good but no one has officially made a move yet..

I just think they are the true leaders they are not the ones starting war unlike America and Israel and I will support them till I die.

March 29, 2012 at 11:08 pm |

DB

Wow….Well I will give you the fact that none of those countries have started a war….The US does put its nose were it doesn't belong I will even give you that…Calling anyone of those leaders "great leaders" that is the point were you are gravely mistaken. Where are you from? Just curious because you certainly don't seem like your from the US….

hey DB did you hear last week obama gave egypt 1.3 billion and this week the state department put out a no travel notice by americans to egypt . so just how broke is the usa , or is the usa broke because of a lack of wisdom ?

March 29, 2012 at 11:01 pm |

DB

The US is broke for so many reasons….No I can't say I did hear about that but it doesn't surprise me…Too bad I couldn't run for office. Something needs to be done and fast otherwise we are headed for a fiscal crisis that much I can assure you.

March 29, 2012 at 11:09 pm |

Bill McAlester

I want to address all the respondents to this topic: Did U ever hear of "Don't tread on Me" (the flag with the snake), or
"Walk softly and carry a BIG stick"?....It seems to me that U people (ONLY) get riled up when the price at the pump
goes up....These despots must be stopped. Ur probably 2young to remember the mid 1930's and the rise of "MEIN
FUHERER"..........

Yes, believe it or not we live our lives, pay our way and pay taxes. we also worry when people are spending them unwisely. Hitler overran all of europe before America entered the war. I have yet to see the Iranians fire a single shot. Obviously you are too young to remember Ms Rice and her "mushroom cloud", which was a total lie and sent the world economy into a deficit. This looks more like that! If Israel wants to go on an adventure, let them! We need our resources and our youth at home.

Brain is correct. Rob in Atlanta's bluster is exactly the kind of talk that convinced the Russians and the Chinese and the British and the French and the Indians and the Pakistanis that they needed nuclear weapons. Maybe Hiroshima helped too. We started the nuclear arms race and now the chickens are coming home to roost. Why not attack Pakistan? They hate us and they HAVE nuclear weapons. Or do we only attack small countries we know we can beat? Iran is not a threat to us. This constant fearmongering by the US media is disgusting. End the reliance on middle east oil and we do not have a problem. Our soldiers can come home where they belong and we can spend our money rebuilding our country and educating our children.

It does no good to report this to try and show how "brave" Obama is. Why don't you show the story of how he's now "outed" Israel today? Completely "outed" them! Again. Several weeks ago, Panetta trumpted that if Israel attacked Iran, it would probably be in an April/May/June time-frame. Thanks so much, Panetta! Today, it's worse: come on, CNN. Show the story. Obama and his administration "outted" the fact that Israel has moved their fighters closer to Iran. What idiots we have in Washington! They just are so determined to let Iran have their way, have their bomb and destroy Israel. And, then us. When will you print that story, CNN? WHEN????

Like I said before. You want to stop these Rouge Dictators from Syria, Iran, North Korea, China and Russia and want to put a stop to all this Anti America crap. Drop a nuclear Bomb on a major city in each Country and see how fast it stops. Just look at the history from Hiroshima and Nagasaki to see how fast it will stop.

Wow I guess you are a prophet and can predict that every single Country will hate us. Yo prophet can you give me the numbers to the MegaMillions Lottery.

March 29, 2012 at 10:05 pm |

WarMongers

I don't need to be a prophet SpaceAlien, just google search the internet you will see that at this moment there are a global hate against US. People all over the world are tired of your wars and lies, get out of your video game and go search the internet you can see for yourself. No need to be a prophet here, if you drop a nuclear bomb on any country you will end up having every single country against you, people are tired of these wars and lies.

March 29, 2012 at 10:20 pm |

DB

Clearly you have no idea…Drop a nuclear bomb on Russia or China and it is mutually assured destruction end of story…moron

Uh Hello. Did you ever hear of StarWars and the Missile Defense System? We have it, China and Russia to not. Uh do you know the navigation systems on our birds are far superior to Russia's and China's. Let me guess? You are one of those USA haters too.

March 29, 2012 at 10:07 pm |

DB

USA hater….Seriously…No…….I am just very careful with my thoughts and I think before I speak…I realize we have that technology but I highly doubt that it is designed to handle hundreds of nuclear warheads…Do you know the capabilities…If you can find information on how many nukes we can handle please share….If not maybe your just getting way too ahead of yourself

March 29, 2012 at 10:12 pm |

mardjan

Russua has the most sophisticated missile defense system on the planet. Not to mention thousands of A bombs. If a nuclear war is started the contamination will be the issue, not the bombing. Life on earth will be destroyed ina couple of weeks no amtter where the bombs fall. We would have to leave the planet. Do you have a space ship?

March 29, 2012 at 10:19 pm |

WarMongers

SpaceAilen you're suffering from the superiority complex, that will make your fall someday.

March 29, 2012 at 10:22 pm |

mardjan

if you don't, get one and find a place to go in the outer space before talking about nuking every country on your list

From where I stand sending in those ships seems like a no brainer for the US. We are in a pi$$ing contest with Iran. In the latest round Iran threatened to shut down the straight using their navy. If you are the US you know they will mine the you know what out of the place so if you want to be able to counter that you are going to need mine sweeping or neutralizing capabilities in the immediate area if Iran does go ahead with their promise.

So the US is sending in mine sweeper ships and mine sweeper helicopters to the area. That just means they are taking Iran at their word and are telling them back that we are ready for you if you do mine the straight. They would be crappy military planners if they didn't do this.

Vietnam, Iraq and now Shitcanistan, with the people we train, killing our troops... Yeah, we really do kick ass... and lose, and lose and lose...

You are a complete MORON!

March 29, 2012 at 10:45 pm |

WarMongers

If a US boat hit a mine and blows up, will you say let's start the war because Iran attacked first? When you step where you don't belong to it simply means you didn't have any business there in the first place.

What about the other nations in the region that we Ally with, who use the straits?

March 29, 2012 at 9:59 pm |

Nodack

If one of our ships or one of our allies ships hit an Iranian mine in the straight and blows up the US and it's allies will certainly take that as an act of war. Mining the straight is an act of war. Whether the allies mount a full blown war or just destroy any Iranian vessel of aircraft that enters the straight would remain to be seen. How Iran acted would probably dictate the outcome.

March 29, 2012 at 10:08 pm |

WarMongers

Nordak if you lock you door at night and pus sensors across your land and a burglar hurt himself while trying to get to your house, and then everyone in the street perceive that as a declaration of war on you. Would it justify them if they beat you up just because you tried to protect yourself on your own property?

March 29, 2012 at 10:28 pm |

mardjan

They are playing the Russian roullette. seriously, what are we going to tell the Russians, Guys? They did say that they would treat an Attack on Iran like an attack on Russian territory. What if they thwarted the attack the same way they thwarted "regime change" in Syria?

Wow your comments truly show why the USA is perceived as weaker and weaker and these terrorist wackos and nutjob dictators have no fear of the USA. Of course the persian golf is in our best interest and Israel too. The wacko president of Iran wants to wipe Israel from the face of the earth. Maybe you are an anti-semite and probably would have supported Hitler too. Maybe you are like Obama and will sit down with them for a cup of tea. Really you all need to grow a pair!

Any comment that includes the words perceived as weaker and weaker in them means that comment is nothing but BS to me. Who cares if a terrorist thinks we are strong or weak or whether you think they think we are strong or weak? It means nothing. It's always just BS propaganda/bravado/complaining by the opposite party of those they are bashing.

brain you said alot of good things, somewon has to keep the line straight(KEEP THE PEACE) and america was the chosen one they where the only super power to do that but things change you can't stop time, there are alway bad apples in a barrel and if you don't get rid of them everthing will go bad but i think it is to late ,this matter shoud have been delt with when bush was pres.BE SMART KNOW THE WHOLE FACTS BEFORE YOU SPEAK
OR ACT

Micook all you want it to kill and kill again, you're not giving a very shinny picture of yourself do you?

March 29, 2012 at 9:59 pm |

robtemery

One doesn't engage an obvious much superior military force head-to-head. One takes out as much middle East oil production infrastructure as possible. Even under emergency conditions it will take longer than30 days to replace and within 30 days the world will be in a depression. This is a feel good article is for the masses

Ok these are my thoughts….why don't we just lay back and watch and see what happens??? We are the only country that has used a nuclear weapon…period. We seem to always put our nose where it doesn't belong. If Israel wants to get into a war with Iran let them, but we need to stay the h*ll out of it. The only reason I feel we would need to get involved is if Iran were to use a nuclear weapon period!! Then at that point I say blow them sky high and what I mean by that is make an example out of them. You can't punish another country for an act it has yet to commit. Now I am not saying Iran isn't dangerous but let them make the first mistake! Then you have justification….FYI we should have never given Israel those bunker buster bombs….

For the record you need a history lesson….Israel become a state in 1948…….They have a right to co-exist on that land…Period

March 29, 2012 at 9:40 pm |

DB

Became a country in 1948

March 29, 2012 at 9:41 pm |

americaisevil

israel was pushed into un after the world war 2 when there was nobody to resist.israel will not survive.

March 29, 2012 at 9:46 pm |

T0m

U mean the countefiet country of Israel.. Israel doesn't produce any oil. why didn't they carve it out of europe?

March 29, 2012 at 9:59 pm |

DB

Clearly you don't know your bible very well….If you attack Israel you will be attacking God himself…It is written that he will destroy all that try to destroy Israel..It was also written that Israel would become a nation again…hmmm that happened…Ever heard of the Gog/ Magog war…..This could end up being another fulfillment of prophesy…You need to read up on the Book of Eziekel….I will be curious to see if Russia gets involved somehow….Do you homework bud

March 29, 2012 at 10:00 pm |

EVILDIAPERHEADS

JUST NUKE IRAN, IF THE CHINESE & RUSSIANS ATTACK WHICH ONE DAY THEY WILL EVEN WITHOUT THE IRAN CONFLICT, NUKE THEM TOO !!! SO OVER HEARING ABOUT THE DIAPERHEAD DRAMA'S EVERY DAY

March 29, 2012 at 10:22 pm |

WarMongers

Evildiaperhead have you ever search the internet to see how many countries have nuclear weapons? You will soon realize that you're not alone, if you drop a nuclear bomb you will start a chain reaction against US and the biggest disaster in the entire world history on this planet. You better think twice and try to find other options and do it fast too, time is running out.

March 29, 2012 at 10:34 pm |

EVILDIAPERHEADS

WHY ARE THERE SO MANY BLOGS ABOUT THE ANTICHRIST IN THE WHITE HOUSE ? THE CLOSET MUSLIM TROJEN HORSE THAT WEAKENS FROM WITHIN ? WHY SO MANY NATIONAL SECURITY LEAKS ? WHY WOULD ANY PRESIDENT GIVE ANY OTHER NATION ANY OF OUT NATIONAL SECURITY SECRETS ( MISSLE DEFENSE TECH TO RUSSIA ? ) THIS COUNTRY NEEDS TO WAKE UP AND SEE WE HAVE MANY ENEMIES CHINA, RUSSIA,IRAN, .. ECT.. NEVER TRUST ANY OF THEM !! ARE THE CONGRESS SLEEPING OR ON CHINESE MEDICATIONS ? AND WHY WOULD AMERICA TRUST ALL THEIR MEDICATIONS MADE IN A COUNTRY THAT HATES US ( CHINA ) WHY SO MANY CANCERS IN AMERICA SINCE OUT SOURCING MEDICATIONS ? WHO'S LOOKING INTO ALL THIS ? TO SEE IF THESE RUMORS ARE TRUE... GOD BLESS AMERICA AND ANYONE THAT HATES AMERICA SHOULD GET THE HELL OUT PERIOD. AMERICA HAS HELPED EVERY NATION AT ONE TIME ... WE NEED TO CUT OFF ALL FUNDING TO ALL THESE PARASITE COUNTRIES. LET CHINA PAY FOR THEM, AND CUT OFF PARASITE ILLEGALS TOO !! ANY ILLEGAL CAN WALK OR CRAWL UNDER A DITCH INTO AMERICA, GET SSI, FOOD STAMPS, FREE ROOM N BOARD. AND AMERICANS THAT PAID INTO THE SYSTEM ARE HOMELESS ? INCLUDING VETS ? WTF ? THESE BRAVE PEOPLE FIGHT FOR OUR COUNTRY AND SHOULD GET EVERYTHING FREE.. CUT OFF ALL COUNTRIES AND PARASITES !!!

March 29, 2012 at 11:00 pm |

WarMongers

Evildiaperhead you are out of your mind, and obviously not too much educated of the US history. Which school have you heard that from? My suggestion is try to have a wider vision of the world and stop to have a fixation of the so called US greatest country in the world thing. US has been a great country at one time, it is declining lately. Thank God there a still some good people there but be careful with the patriotic way of thinking, being patriotic to a country is a good thing as long as you know what and why you will fight for. That's what would make a difference.

March 29, 2012 at 11:12 pm |

WarMongers

DB there are a lot things in what you've said that makes a lot of sense. I agree.

Wow your comments truly show why the USA is perceived as weaker and weaker and these terrorist wackos and nutjob dictators have no fear of the USA. Of course the persian golf is in our best interest and Israel too. The wacko president of Iran wants to wipe Israel from the face of the earth. Maybe you are an anti-semite and probably would have supported Hitler too. Maybe you are like Obama and will sit down with them for a cup of tea. Really you all need to grow a pair!

Well first of all I am a Christian man and I do support Israel. Second I am just saying you need justification to invade another country or do you want another Iraq? Weapons of mass destruction….were are they???? Third if they do strike with a nuclear weapon wipe them off the map…period….hows that for a pair??? Use common sense…My guess is your the type that acts before you think huh

March 29, 2012 at 9:49 pm |

Klown

Sorry anyone who is a threat will be dealt with!!!! We are not going to wait for somebody to use a freakin bomb on anyone!!! Next time someone threatens to kick you a$$, keep your guard down and let them kick you a$$ and then maybe you will think differently!!!

They don't have the capability of long range…So therefore they can't hit us nor can they kick the crap out of us…They can hit Israel though…As I said before we need to mind our own business until we need to step in…I am not saying we shouldn't step in and help Israel if they need it but we don't need to start a war!

March 29, 2012 at 9:56 pm |

Klown

Understood, but we have alies that would protect us as we would protect them. So anyone threating us or our alies will be dealt with. You mean to tell me Amadijwhateverwhatever is cool and we should let him walk around talking smack to the USofA your wrong....What needs to happen is he needs to disappear or were going to make him disappear.......

March 29, 2012 at 10:02 pm |

Battleback

DB...I understand the idea of holding off, but you need to wiki "United States non-interventionism". Ask a boxer what happens when he holds back instead of being the aggressor. If we do end up in a war with Iran then we better get on our guard right away. Their government is just crazy enough to try it. I hope not though...we have had enough of war.

I get what your saying…be prepared….that doesn't mean throw the first punch…Have you ever been in a fight…You can inflict lots of damage if your prepared to take the second shot waiting on your opponent to make a mistake..Same rule applies here.. Not to mention Iran won't attack us directly..Israel has to worry about that part..Be prepared then react.

I can tell you where they will go tomorow higher! Now imagine if Iran actually releases a mine and we would have to wet the minesweepers. The prices would skyrocket!! All this for a country that doesn't even have a nuclear bomb yet. It just doeesn't add up. Why don't those genii in the state department tell us what it is really about. Because you have to be crazy to be doing all this for a bomb that Iran doesn't have.

Big mistake to keep piling on more warships in the Persian Gulf. The Chinese war philosopher Sun Tzu emphasized that one should always leave an opponent a way out – otherwise the opponent will become far more desperate and dangerous, and more inclined to fight to the death. If the US can coexist peacefully with nuclear armed Russia and China (not to mention North Korea) – we can absolutely coexist with a possible eventually nuclear armed Iran. The Persian gulf is not the place for bluster, verbal pyrotechnics, and Dodge City showdowns......As Machiavelli noted – Wars begin when you will, but they do not end when you please – This situation needs to be defused...not ignited !!

The ships are minesweepers...they aren't offensive vessels. Iran has a history of dropping mines in the shipping lanes, just to play havoc. They are preventative measures. As for offensive capability, we've had about the same level of offensive capability there for a very long time. No large build up of any specific offensive abilities w/relation to Iran.

i spent about 5 minuets trying to google incidents of iran mining the shipping lanes and all i could come up with was 1984 during the war with iraq. do you know of a more recent incident? just asking because i'm interested and not being cynical. really.

March 29, 2012 at 9:45 pm |

Chris

We had minesweepers out there in the mid- to late-1980s as well. In fact US forces siezed a few minelaying ships.

March 29, 2012 at 9:49 pm |

americaisevil

the goal in iran is to steal-golden reserves,silver,foreign currency,...-altogether several trillion dollars.iranian nukes are just an excuse,like wmd in iraq.

Wow, that's a first...haven't heard that conspiracy theory yet. Glad you're in the know...that we've got people like you planted out there to feed us this intelligence.

March 29, 2012 at 9:48 pm |

americaisevil

the first thing that marines did in germany,korea,vietnam,iraq,...was to load golden reserves and dollar reserves onto american ships.that is why america likes wars.

March 29, 2012 at 10:00 pm |

Concerned American

Ok all of you left and right wing nuts out there, you can all sit here and say what you will but we all know none of your jackwagons sitting here talking smack back and forth like a bunch of morons have ever been included in the .45% of the American population that is serving in the military. If you want to voice and opinion go watch american idol and cast your votes that way. Other than that STFU about things you know nothing about, you all speculate about how why when but none of you know. I have not seen one damn thing in the comments on here that add up to creditable information. None of you are in the Joint Chiefs of Staff or work at the Pentagon so leave it up to the ppl that are going to and have been protecting your lazy asses for the last 200 years plus.

If you still believe and rely on the Pentagon to take the best decisions then you're just playing the ostrige and hiding you head in the sand, No one has to be a general or high head in the military to know where this world is heading to, unless of course we would be sleeping or just ignorant not to see what's going on out there.

It is unlikely that the US will launch a first strike against Iran. Who knows what Israel will do...and to that end US forces are postured to respond if necessary. On an operational level, there's little talk of Iran, other than speculation.

Hey i think its cool were close to having lasers ready to detect and destroy mines.Its only a matter of time before Israel attacks and having two carrier groups with multiple ships and weapons things should be interesting.Obama does not want a war , but he doesn't want to be seen as a wimp either ,what he is.

YEP....REALLY COOL ....When you're having to pay $10 – $20 per gallon of gas – and the world sinks into a total economic depression – because people like you think that this is just another action video game.

Let me see. You say America is evil. You have the right to free speech in "my country." Probably not in yours. Lets frame the issue differently. You say America is evil and you want to kill one of my sons. My response is I want America to kill you and protect my American son. Simple enough for you? And I do not want even one American to be at risk while they protect my sons. It is called being right and technology. Why would I ask someone else in my country to go and risk their life? Just push a button and make the evil go away. Seems very simple to me.

And in case you are confused. All this can be avoided by not threatening to kill ANY AMERICAN!

Yeah, underestimating one's adversary is a GREAT way to win. /sarcasm.

Iran is absolutely paranoid about the U.S. attacking, almost as much as North Korea. They manufacture their own weapons systems, rather than just buying them from Russia or China (though they do that as well). They have a modern, well-trained military. Add to it their network of operatives worldwide, ready to carry out terrorist attacks, and they are more of a challenge than Iraq or Afghanistan were. Plus, the Persians are a proud people, and even if they don't like their regime, would rally to defend their country. Think, man. These are the descendants of the Persian Empire.

Rich you made a lot of sens in what you've said, except where you said you still can crush them, attacking Iran will be an attack against the whole planet, i can't understand why people don't get that. World wide opinions have changed completely toward US. Time for US to prove that they are still a humane country to the whole world before it's too late.

March 29, 2012 at 10:51 pm |

Chris

Remember these are minesweepers, people. Iran has a history of tossing mines out into the Gulf...if we were prepping to attack Iran, there would be other indicators. From an airpower perspective, there's no preparations going on with US airpower in the region to conduct offensive operations against Iran.

Our great country has one huge fault. Restraint. My dad always taught me. If you get in a fight hit the other side as hard as you can. You might not get another chance. I for one would like to eliminate Afghanistan completely. I do not want another American soldier killed or injured by these people. Why do we act so weakly? Why do we allow these animals to kill our children? White, Black....? These people openly talk about destroying the USA. Why do we send our young men and women to fight them? Why not just finish it? Tell them all we will not sacrifice any more of our children. Either control your country or perish. Let me ask a simple question. If the choice was your child would get killed by animals in Afghanistan or we just eliminate Afghanistan, how many would say take my child? Not me.

I have killed no one nor has any one in my family. I could easily eliminate Afghanistan where Americans and Russians and anyone civilized has been killed just because. Just eliminate the problem.

March 29, 2012 at 9:05 pm |

Chris

Love the comments from those who think they "know"...you have very little idea how much restraint goes into US targeting...particularly via aircraft. I can't speak for the Army side (they have their own ROE but I'm no expert on theirs)...but the air side is very tightly controlled.

March 29, 2012 at 9:10 pm |

americaisevil

how is it civilized to attack somebody?

March 29, 2012 at 9:10 pm |

WarMongers

Rob you are just showing your desire to kill and the desire to rule over the world by stealing other country resources, i'm sorry to say this but you are not any different than others like you, have you ever thought about the image you guys are projecting of yourselves worldwide? Search on Google and look at worldwide opinions on US lately.

March 29, 2012 at 9:12 pm |

Rob in Atlanta

I know this is too simple for most of you. One side. Send my sons to fight animals. Other side. Keep my sons home and safe. Animals in Afghanistan want to kill me and my family. Ok. I ask my government to protect me without getting my sons killed (for some daughters). We have the power. So the choice is send my sons or someone else's daughters OR finish the animals. Not difficult decision for me. Finish them.

March 29, 2012 at 9:18 pm |

WarMongers

Rob calling other nationalities animals shows how intelligent you are, sorry but your soldiers get killed but bot your babies and women, on the other hand, a lot of innocent children and women are getting killed by psychopath war mongers over there.

March 29, 2012 at 9:30 pm |

americaisevil

you also support george zimmerman,huh rob?

March 29, 2012 at 9:30 pm |

americaisevil

using nukes means total isolation from the rest of the world.and one nuke can kill only one city.and how would you steal if land was contaminated?(i hope,you don't really believe that america attacks country in order to rebuild it or to bring democracy)

I believe that if the low life's in Afghanistan can just kill for the sake of killing that the best solution is to make them all martyrs. Someone please explain to me why even one more American should be killed in Afghanistan? I would really like to understand. Why the restraint? Why are we there? Why not make the place disappear? Who would send their child to die when we can just put a stop to the madness? Maybe if they felt the power they would stop abusing men women and children! I would never ask my sons to go fight in my place. And I would ask why I should risk my life when we can just eliminate the problem. And we do not need nukes to d so. We have more than enough power to stop the animals in Afghanistan. I say stop killing our children and let them know we will not be weak anymore..

March 29, 2012 at 9:12 pm |

john/kc

Why use nukes? Drop out of the poison gas treaties and go from there.

March 29, 2012 at 9:19 pm |

americaisevil

you are not better than nazi germany.

March 29, 2012 at 9:31 pm |

mardjan

Rob, we cannot make those places disappear. We need them and their people to work and extract the oil from the ground so that your sorry backside doesn't freeze here in the winter. We have the choice of disappearing ourselves. We have killed OBL, whta are we doing there now? Wasting money that we don't have putting our children in harm's way.

March 29, 2012 at 9:38 pm |

dad

Rob enough war talk macho man. The USA has a choice not to interfere in everybody's business.

Right. Maybe you can explain 9-11 to me. I am not about war. I am about not getting our children killed or maimed. I say stop sending our youth. Send something else.

March 29, 2012 at 9:14 pm |

WarMongers

Yes Rob i surely can, two buildings got destroyed in the entire US, now explain to me how many houses,schools and other building including innocent civilians and women and children have you destroyed by you people since this stupid war have begun.

Have you, one of your relatives, son or daughter been part of the military? If either of these are listed among our brave women and men at front, I salute you and give you the benefit of the doubt in your opinion. if otherwise not, let we not be opinionated for something we're not part of it. I would suggest the professional to handle it as it meet the interest of the Nation we all love and care for. How about Mr. Atlanta?

Every generation of my family has been in the military. My entire life I have heard "why doesn't the civilian government allow the military to do its job?" If your family is or has been in the military then you will likely agree. People in Washington send our kids into hell and then talk about the sacrifices they make. Why send them? Why not simply tell them we will not allow them to terrorize the world? If they do not listen finish it! Why continue to send real soldiers controlled by politicians? How many of our children are you willing to send to die with these animals?

March 29, 2012 at 9:27 pm |

Rob in Atlanta

I must admit I forbid my children from enlisting. Not because I do not believe in what my country stands for, but because I don't want my children killed or maimed for no just reason. Please tell me anyone's children should be in Afghanistan right now. Please tell me that the USA does not have the ability to end this problem. Not my child. Not yours. We send Afghanistan our children and our money. Is there anyone sane in our government? we are afraid of them. Really. Solve the problem and move on without killing our children. Is there anyone else that puts the safety of their children above this craziness?

March 29, 2012 at 9:35 pm |

mardjan

Most of us are not completely crazy and would ask the question why are our children still there? then we would look at the fact that OBL is deadand AQ has got the message that any action on US soil will mean war, wherever you are. Then I would look at my pocketbook and see that the country is broke and we have a lot of problems at home and I would bring my children home where they would be safe.

Obviously very carefully thought out opinions from every spectrum of society, but what's the point in trying to prove something to someone over the internet? Go do something, research, plan, educate yourself and present an argument without all the jargon and personal views without facts.

Capt/Zeb unless you're not awake yet let me answer that question to you, it will be WWIII, US vs Worldwide. Just wait and see, you don't have to believe it, but don't come crying when you find out and when reality hits you in the face.

I agree , unfortunately there seems to be many delusional people in this nation vying for a war in a region that's over 5000 miles away from our shores. A region we have no business being in. We are more threaten by Mexico then Iran. At the very least Mexico can attack us, whereas Iran has no capability to strike the U.S.

We are threatened by Iran. We are threatened economically because any move they make to cut off commerce in the Gulf region will cause the price of oil and therefore gas to shoot through the roof. The price of gas in the USA going to never before seen levels could totally sink the American economy.

March 29, 2012 at 8:40 pm |

matthew

Don't think Iran can't attack us. They claim to have thousands of agents in the US ready for suicide bomb attacks. Iran is a dangerous nation that should not be taken lightly.

March 29, 2012 at 8:41 pm |

WarMongers

Glad to see another american who can still use some brain power, well said Ihopesotoo

March 29, 2012 at 8:49 pm |

jkflipflop

How is Iran's 4.77% contribution to the world oil market going to make the price of gas spike? If anything, it would spike by their contribution amount.

March 29, 2012 at 8:53 pm |

TX2NY

Iran is building ties in latin america,venezuela and cuba are sided with them or will side with them,i dont want to see another war but the pressure cooker is about to explode it's like the perfect storm all dominoes falling into place i think syria and what transpires their will be a key pre-curser to how the dominoes fall,also i find it funny iran set nuclear talks for friday the 13th

March 29, 2012 at 9:30 pm |

Peter Savage

Vying for war? Who's vying for war? Nobody except for the nutjob fringe politicians want any sort of military campaign in Iran.

The US most certainly will not start a war with Iran, but we won't get caught unprepared for one either. Let's just hope Iran isn't stupid enough to start a war, that would just give every decent country in the world an excuse to level them.

because the huge amount of propaganda fogs the ability of american people to see the reality.iran is not small,weak and divided like these failed states that america messed.the effort in syria is going wrong,iraq is lost,talibans will also prevail,islamists are taking over egypt,yemen and lybia.brics(brasil,russia,india,china,southafrica) are ganging up on america and others are joining in.minorities in america itself are unhappy with the treatment by the white,christian majority.if i were you,i wouldn't be very confident in pentagon's abilities.the price for you will be very steep.

your visa turned down again? on no fly list still? envy much? if the US is attacked and that includes the navy and therefore there is no reason for kid gloves, no reason for avoiding civilian casulties, the country that attacks will be reduced to rubble. It wont take long. better head for the country side

your threats are laughable.while your weapons are advanced,your men are of poor quality.there will be a rain of rockets onto these ships.refueling places will be saboutaged,so soon american ships will be floating targets.russia and china have supplied iran,syria and lebanon with tons of arms and information.but,the best way to check it is to go there personally-put your life where your mouth is.

March 29, 2012 at 8:08 pm |

RdWtNBlu

americaisevil is a radical muslim idiot

March 29, 2012 at 8:11 pm |

fred

your bravado is admirable. keep your head in your ass and you wont be able to participate in the rebuilding of Iran when we have to send in the contractors to help rebuild. they will need cheap manual labor and you appear to be eligible

Well said, Paul.
Mr. "AmericaisEv**".... you are retarded. Sounds indeed as if you are envious, and perhaps your visa has expired. You apparantly aren't well educated. Osama bin Laden himself wrote that he wishes for his youngest children to go to America, be educated, and assimilate. If you people try to start WW3, I got news. It will get a whole lot whiter, and a whole lot more Christian, REAL fast.

March 29, 2012 at 9:58 pm |

fred

oooooooooooooo "steep" ooooooooooo we are very frightened of you and your buddies..........ooooooooooo steep.................ooooooooo maybe steep for us, but end for you.............keep looking up.............ooooooooooo

You wish what you were typing was true, but you are so mistaken. We are one of the greatest countries on Earth. You point out problems, but show none of our successes. Very typical of your type of human. I am not sure what hole you have popped out of, but your country has probably been around for over 1000 years, your muslim, your women have no rights and you abuse them, and your production over those 1000 years has caused your elite to be educated in the United States, the best country in the world. Have a good day my jealous muslim bitch.

you are mad at me for telling you not to shoot yourself in the foot.how mad you will be after marines get slaughtered,navy gets sunk down and your economy gets ruined?then chinese and russian ships will be sailing close to your coasts.not to mention seceding aspirations of mexican quarter of the population,divisions between blacks and whites,south and north,liberals and conservatives,...this country,once the slipping starts,can go into civil war quickly.

March 29, 2012 at 8:16 pm |

RdWtNBlu

americaisevil – you just can't fix stupid, sorry. Have a nice day!

March 29, 2012 at 8:22 pm |

Steven

The US is the best country in the world ?

This sentence just shows how arrogant, uneducated and nationalistic you are. It just confirms how stupid you are.

It's high time for you to go travel around the world to discover how other countries operate. You know, countries that don't start wars, like Switzerland, that has much better education, much less crime, much lower unemployment, no public deficits, doesn't spread death and threats around the planet, values environment, ...

The US is far, far from the best country on earth. It's just filled with a bunch of arrogant idiots who think they're the smartest, the most powerful, even though they can't point most of the countries on this planet on a map.

March 29, 2012 at 9:05 pm |

ogre12

evil one speaks with forked tongue. what do you stand for? not much the way I see it. what have you ever done to serve America you wingnut? The way I see it you are the one who needs education starting with a blanket party. You suck up air meant for better people than your lowly self. I know..try draino cocktail and do us all a favor whackjob.

listen to the words of wisdom-your life will change for worse if you attack iran.the fight will be on their turf,you will have to travel for a full month to reach there.

March 29, 2012 at 8:31 pm |

crazyvermont

would you please put in complete understandable sentences so people can understand? We need some copy for our next Saturday Night Live comedy skit....better yet, are you available to appear as we all need a few laughs

new black panthers will be happy to see 2 million white guys leave.don't hate me for telling you that you will be in trouble.don't start the trouble.

March 29, 2012 at 8:36 pm |

Get It Together

America pumps money into how many countries in the world? That's a rhetorical question. Iran's military is mediocre at best. Iran couldn't even figure it our in Iraq a couple decades ago. How are you going to take on America when you can't handle Iraq? Nothing has changed. You don't have experience fighting wars. You know what country is the most experienced with that business. You guessed it. The great old U.S. of A. The Iranian government as you know it would probably last a couple of months at best against an all out campaign by American forces. If America was evil, every other country in the world would be enduring a nuclear apocalypse. America could have turned Iraq into the 51st state and started a Arab/Muslim extermination campaign. America could have said screw you Pakistan and invaded in the north west to wipe out the Taliban in the region. America isn't evil. If it was, we'd go do whatever we want and not take other countries needs/wants into consideration. BRICS? Really? Do you know how financially dependent those other countries are on the US? Those countries aren't exactly enemies of the US. Do your homework. Educate yourself. Talk to people and develop relationships with people who aren't Muslim. You need to understand the rest of the world. Do you realize that Russia is involved in the supply chain for the US in Afghanistan. They're even thinking about using one of this purpose:
http://www.dawn.com/2012/03/15/russia-may-give-nato-a-base-for-afghan-supply-runs.html

What points are you referring to? Talk is cheap. Would you care to elaborate with some fact based information? I'm seriously eager to read your point of view. Anyone can get on here and spout out random comments about how America is evil, how all Muslims are towel head sand n...., and blab about how the US should be in awe of Iran because of it's military prowess. I don't believe any of the previous statements are true. Do you have anything logical to add to this discussion? Are you going to keep blabbing on about lies, corruption, and evil America. All countries, America included, have some corrupt elements even if those elements range from something small to large. That's why in America you'll read something about a scandal (i.e. a politician sleeping with an aide or an intern) in the American government from time to time. Long story short, evil. Is there any real basis/factual information you would want to reference in regards to your comments. Are you just stating your personal impression of things? Let me know.

March 30, 2012 at 5:32 pm |

Get It Together

By the way, pardon my grammar. I didn't exactly proofread the last one.

March 30, 2012 at 5:37 pm |

Bilbo

"Poor quality" is foolish to say. The training is on par with many first world nations. Our equipment is second to none. Our special forces are in the top tier of capacities. Anyone betting that any nation can take us in a head on head engagement will loose there money. Guerilla warfare is effective against ANY occupying force, so if you view our restraint in afghanistan and Iraq as a sign of weakness, then feel free to continue on your quest to put the U.S. down every chance you get. I believe in you.

The US has many old nuclear and gas bombs that need "dismantled" and IRAN has a lot of assholes. We can solve a lot of problems if we bring them together, (As long as the wind is blowing Russia's direction).

War baby war! It creates jobs for poor Americans as they put their lives on the line to serve a foreign interest such as Israel and the Grand Old Party. The rich gets richer since they have stocks in war machines and the poor die faster. Now thats the American way. Forget about Obamacare and individual mandate. Helping the poor through such means does nothing for Americans. War is what we are really good at. Lets go Iran Now! Syria next and Saudi Arabia soon!

Yeah and when you are done serving your country, we got a spot for you in front of the local grocery store. Just make sure you know how to spell Veteran. Thats how Americans take care of their "heroes".

oh shut ur cakehole!! Iran has threatend war and even nuclear war if it comes to it.......the only thing evil men need to triumph is for good men to do nothing..........that was spoken about hilter. Now go back to ur little room and watch ur cartoons ok let the grownups speak about politics.

Iran hasn't attacked anyone you dum a55. All these hero wannabes gotta stop watching movies and playing games. You're comparing whats going on with Iran to good men doing nothing with Hitler? Hitler actually invaded countries. Iran hasn't attacked anyone and hasn't threatened to attack anyone. They only threaten to fight back if they are attacked, which is obvious you numskulls.

March 29, 2012 at 9:00 pm |

Tom Huntsberger

With god on our side? Who's god? Are you sure he is on your side? Do you think he wants his image and likeness creations to die? "If god's on our side, he'll stop the next war" Bob Dylan..

In the field the bodies burning as the war machine keeps turning!, 1st of all you dont know how to spell General but thats okay you would make a good grunt anyways, 2nd the U.S absolutely sucks at war and hasnt even won a war, failed in Nam, failed in Iraq, Japan may be an acception but Japs come back and buy out U.S lol classic!! 3rd the reality of it all is China has nukes, N. Korea soon to have long range, Russia has the best state of the art nukes and Iran will excel its program and build some, 4th there are well over 1 million muslims living in the U.S and not all with U.S patriotic hearts.
All this said and believe me Im not a fan of Iran or Islam or Israel, if the U.S decides to go about it Iraq style of course it will be failure, if the U.S decides to go about it in a nuclear way it would be a no win either way, just think for a sec before pounding that war drum, in reality how many nukes do you think are pointed at the U.S? how many americans live in Iran, China or even Russia and how many of Muslims, Chinese and the rest of the god damn world live in the U.S and do you really think theres a chance for the U.S to win either way, believe me I would love to see Iran get blasted off the face of the earth, but the negatives out weigh the positives!

America wont fail but it will be hell to many savage people in this world ready to fight for there countries. My opinion is that all these countries who have beef with eachother should just squash it like we do out here on these streets honestly f*** talking, America will protect Isreal and with God by ourside we will over come . Amen

Iran is the last bastion of the Persian Empire. They are not in the least like any of the other Islamic nations in the Middle East. I think war is an awful thing but if they oersist in their threats there is no alternative but to attack. Placing mines in the heavily used Pass is a blatant disregard for world peace and threatens far more commerce than oil shipments. My only problem with us going there is the use of civilians on war vessels. There is absolutely no justification for that.

March 29, 2012 at 9:00 pm |

Tom Huntsberger

With god on our side? Who's god? Are you sure he is on your side? Do you think he wants his image and likeness creations to die? "If god's on our side, he'll stop the next war" Bob Dylan..

The only thing a war with Iran and North Korea would do is significantly reduce U.S and British military resources, Leaving the U.S vulnerable to attacks from both China and Russia, both of which have shown their discontent with America. China continues to attack the U.S. through cyber warfare, Chinese spies stealing U.S. tech secrets, re-initiating starwars program, and expanding their military also they back North Koreas communist government and wants to secure oil from Iran and other U.S. oil interests. The irony is the American public is funding this countries military expansion. China has also threatened to destroy the U.S. economy by cashing in their U.S. treasury bonds. The U.S. folded by ceasing to print U.S. dollars (inflation) and awarding China with very lucrative contracts for alternative energy, Windmills in Texas, and Solar farms in Northern nevada, which will be built by imported Chinese workers. Furthermore, If/when Putin Comes into power in Russia, he's looking for payback from the Reagan Government destroying their economy following the cold war and turning Russia back to hardline communism, Putin has a great approval rating with his countries youth. All of these comments have come from Viable sources. I say build up American defense systems, Return the majority of U.S military soldiers and equipement, bring back all the american jobs from overseas and rebuild America. Please research all of this yourself and I think you will be very surprised and angry.

Nonense. Neither China nor Russia wanted to destroy America. They are just playing with their cards. Particularly China’s economy so heavily relies on export, where they are going to sell if American’s economy crashes? They are not trying to kill each other. It’s just business so both sides are playing the best to try to get a better deal.

afternoon sir
all your saying are a serious warning in regard of the laisser faire of the present USA adminstration .
How could that be untill now the medical Doctor who the CIA to locate Ben Laden was still in Pakistan untill now instead of been in Safe Arab country of elsewhere?
How was that possible that the pakistanese government comes to now about his help to the CIA when such details was a matter os secret defense,
Myself i nearly lost my life in similary situations here many times .
When wil the present USA administration stop acting or handling delicates and sensitives issues in very slack attitude ( will be reacting only when the situation is getting worst or rotten simillary as what i am witnessing in some Black African countries
The present Administration has to think and react promply and according when handling serious sensitives issues and mush be ready rewarding and protecting the seventeen (17)medical personnel that enable the CIA Tto getting Ben Laden included myself for the Golf of Mexico oil split matter my humble contribution
next
yours respectfully

@ JC, I understand the first reaction would be to think that these allegations sound like nonsense, so please rather then discount it, just look up those issues, all of which have been on been briefly mentioned on CNN to Written in Rolling Stone, Wired, etc... The last thing I want is for people to take my words verbatim, please prove me right or wrong it doesn't bother me either way. I just would just like people to exercise their brains to think and educate themselves on these issues. The problem with the internet, and forums, Fox, CNN etc... is there's to much information, and misinformation. If there's anything we can agree on, maybe its that America is being destroyed, and our lives sold to the highest bidders. The American Bill of rights, is almost null and void, OUr money, childrens money great great grand childrens has been given away. The American public voted no on the bailout, so why did they ignore us and give the money away??? Where did all the money go, and QE1, QE2, and now QE3? Why did deregulation destroy the housing market? Why can a company like Goldman Sachs contribute large sums of money to both democratic and republican campaigns? Why aren't the responsible Parties in jail? Why are we at war in oil rich counrties, yet our gas prices are 4.00 a gallon? Anyways, thats my rant, I wish someone would show us the bigger picture!!! Now we want to go to war with a country thats supplying oil to Russia and China??? Why are these groups so intent on killing Americans, even after America bailed the Taliban out of Afganistans Russian occupation. (Charlies War)? Lets all follow the trail of money.

dirk, let me guess, cnn, fox, and nbc are not favorites of yours, you have spent some time attending a university, and you have travelled a fair amount? am I right? I only ask because it seems like you are one of the few who have a clue about what is going on in this world. my advice : don't give the impression you are as smart as you are, in a world full of sheep, it won't get you very far!

March 29, 2012 at 11:02 pm |

Indrid Cold

Israel Strikes! Iran Retaliates!
(A Future Headline???)

The nation of Israel conducted its long anticipated pre-dawn air strikes against suspected nuclear weapons development sites within the nation of Iran. Early estimates indicate that at least one hundred Israeli combat aircraft were involved in the attacks, which included the deployment of numerous earth penetrating "bunker buster" bombs. Though non-nuclear in nature, these bombs are reported to have produced tremendous localized damage and heavy civilian casualties. Video reports coming out of Iran would also seem to support Iranian television statements reporting the downing of several Israeli fighter planes by Iranian air defense. However the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, reported that "by the grace of God" the bulk of the attack force returned to their bases unscathed.

As had been previously threatened, within minutes of the commencement of the Israeli attack, Iran retaliated with at least six flights of intermediate range ballistic missiles. Targets were far flung but seemed concentrated against oil production facilities in Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Libya and Qatar. Suspected Israeli nuclear weapons storage sites were also targeted, as was the Israeli nuclear reactor near Dimona. The US-developed anti ballistic missile system recently deployed in Turkey was active and functional, however it's capabilities were apparently overwhelmed by the large numbers of Iranian missiles launched. Preliminary reports have been hard to come by, however estimates are that 60% of middle east oil production infrastucture was destroyed within a span of thirty minutes. In Saudi Arabia, oil fields that have been feeding the global demand for crude for a generation, were swept away in what surviving eyewitnesses called "a sea of fire." In spite of a long diplomatic effort to prevent it, the long feared regional war in the middle east has clearly begun.

In the US and Europe, financial markets opened to waves of panic selling, as the Dow Jones industrial average fell over 1000 points in its opening minutes. Trading on all of the major exchanges was halted for a time, as circuit breakers designed to control sudden drops in equity prices engaged in an attempt to calm and give pause to the markets. Despite these controls, the broad S&P 500 had fallen by 23% by mid morning. Conversely oil contracts for West Texas Intermediate Crude were quickly bid up to over $180 a barrel as the implications of, what is now expected to be, a virtual shut down of mid east oil production panicked buyers. Gold, long the preferred safe haven in a turbulent political climate, virtually leaped accross the $2000/oz mark and continued to rise in spastic fashon throughout the session.

At neighborhood fueiling stations across the United States, gasoline prices were hastily raised to between $6 and $7 a gallon as news of the Iranian conflict quickly spread. Those prices did little to deter buyers however, and by noon, lines to purchase gasoline stretched a quarter of a mile at normally busy stations. Not surprisingly, incidences of gasoline theft and other violence also increased. At one fueling station outside of Fort Worth Texas, frustrations erupted into an open gun battle as two rival groups described by witnesses as "survivalist types" dressed in military attire opened fire against each other killing three people and striking numerous vehicles.

Since this morning, At least 80 people have reportedly been taken to area hospitals across the nation. Many of those admitted have suffered serious injuries during their attempts to purchase fuel. One particularly gruesome confirmed fatality involved a gas station manager was apparently burned alive during near riot conditions at a Chicago area gas station when his security cage was dowsed with gasoline and set ablaze. Local authorities have since deployed a substantial police presence at most fueling stations. However, local officials openly feared that any large demonstrations in protest of higher gas prices may quickly spiral out of control.

On the major US interstates, freight hauling tractor trailer owners soberly reassessed their delivery contracts in light of the sudden steep rise in the price of diesel fuel (now averaging $9.50 a gallon nationwide). Dozens of the fuel hungry vehicles jammed truck-stops as drivers contemplated deliveries of goods that were in many cases now valued less than the fuel required to transport them to their destination. Additionally, the drivers of gasoline tanker trucks have flooded State Police switchboards with requests for armed escorts to their delivery locations. With US food distribution almost entirely dependent on long-haul trucking, economists are now forecasting a 50% to 60% rise in the cost of food and many other goods as all but certain.

President Obama has announced that he will address the nation at 7:00pm eastern time, however a brief statement issued by the Whitehouse press secretary earlier this morning, outlined some specifics of the Isreali attack and Iranian counter-attack, as well as an of assessment damage thus sustained. Questions referring to any possible US military involvement or responces planed by US forces were deferred to the President's address this evening. President Obama is expected to focus on the detailed steps that will be taken by the US and other world leaders to deal with what is now expected to be a permanent spike in the price of energy in a world now absent access to middle east oil. Many are speculating that the strict rationing of fuel, at least a temporary government takeover of domestic oil companies, and a mandated prioritization of deliveries of goods will be among the first steps outlined by the President. Others expect that an immediate freeze on wages and prices will be necessary as the economy adjusts to ongoing shortages and surpluses driven by unprecedented increases in transportation costs.

On the political front, GOP presidential contender Mitt Romney blasted the president's record on supporting Israel at a speech during a rally in Las Vegas this afternoon. The speech was cut short however, when members of the crowd began pelting the former Massachusetts governor with eggs. The assailants, numbering twenty or so, were apparently members of the local Occupy Wall Street movement. They managed to illicit some of Romney's most colorful speech yet as he referred to his tormentors "you poor little E'ffing bastards."

The real issue is the fact that Iran has upgraded its medium range conventionally-armed missiles with GPS technology, making its missiles much more accurate. Each of these missiles is capable of delivering a 1400lb high explosive warhead 1000 miles.This means Iran can now target Israel’s own nuclear, bio and chemical weapons stockpiles, located inside Israel, as well as the Dimona nuclear reactor.

March 29, 2012 at 7:36 pm |

Michael

No, actually it is 100% spot on if we do go to war with Iran....period. Going to war with Iran is the death of the Middle East.

March 29, 2012 at 7:56 pm |

americaisevil

i have seen all this in 1992 in ex-yugoslavia.the galon of gas jumped to $20,drivers even stole oil from elevator cabinets and used it as fuel,mercedes benz was offered for less money than a bicycle.

Wow. I can't believe the ignorance of 'you people' on here who are talking about bombing Iran. All this talk of if Iran got a nuke that will do something to isreal. Really?!!! Iran has never in history attacked any country. The only reason the U.S and Iran has beef is because of what the U.S. did to Iran back in the 1950s. In which the U.S. was wrong for trying to still that oil. And now 'you people' are just brazenly talking about going and killing innocent people and robbing them for their oil because won't bow down. 'You people' do realize that no country with nukes has ever been attacked?

At least here someone who makes sense, all the other post are about bombing people and after that you want the entire world to believe not all of you are like that. Your post shows the real side of you people and how much you are in love with killing and destruction. I tell you everything as an end and you are not shield from it either.

They way it would happen is that we would 'not-allow' israel to conduct a targeted airstrike, Iran would obviously respond with a missle attack that Israel is hopeful their shield would repel(they would claim civilians were targeted)...then that would obviously give us cause to step in on Israel's side. It's a game and it's ridiculous. We should be past this gunboat diplomacy and moving toward a world of progress. The US sponsored the modern form of Muslim Extremism, first through Operation Ajax, then sponsoring the Mujahadeen. We only need to look at history to realize we have always failed in the long-term when it comes to controlling that region. Many people have died and billions of dollars have been flushed from our economy on a worthless pursuit.

How about a veteran that did two tours in 'nam? I'm a former Marine that volunteered before your momma was suckling you. I know my history, I've seen it repeated in my lifetime...so move on and troll somewhere else.

ooooooooo "nam", sounds authentic but why 2 tours, like war? did you learn name calling there or is that just your normal persuasiveness on exhibit? conclusion: muslim whiner and muslim apologist

March 29, 2012 at 7:50 pm |

WarMongers

Some of my family members went to Afghan 4 times and none of them never lost their mind to the point of killing innocent children and women. The number of time you guys go there has nothing to do with those massacres. It's all have to do with the state of mind, and it shows how some nations are more on the psychopath side than others.

March 29, 2012 at 8:16 pm |

Chris

@JP It's no where near that simplistic as you state. If it was, Obama would have pulled everyone out of the ME a long time ago. Congrats on your two tours in "nam". I'm sure that makes it sound more authentic but no need for the dramatization. For what it's worth, the people in SW and Central Asia have a completely different mindset than those in SE Asia...

we will use our romneyulan cloaking device...we will get just within etch-a-sketch range.... then fire for effect all guns!!! with millions of red plastic squares launched at you...will Allah really be able to help you? then we will re cloak MAHAHAHAHAAHAHA !

..whats funny is that somewhere out there in the world is the antichrist..and he's probably thinking something like this...
...should I show myself to the world now or wait...now, or wait...like right now or maybe wait a half hour...this is so confusing... arrrggghhh!! okay I'm really going to show myself this time!!!....no i better wait...well...arrrgghhh! .....

March 29, 2012 at 7:30 pm |

trex

.......................Palin just said......."I can see Tehran from my house"..........and she may be able to yet.

I don't no about you but these people have been fighting for 1000's of years, and still are. They (the Arabs & Isreal) should to settle there fued on there own and we should stay out of it, Let the chip fall where the will.
I for one refuse to fight in anyone holy war nor will I support anyone including our military troops in such an endevor and I am American. An the only interest I care about is America interest, and don't come to me about Oil interest because some of us truly believe in american no how, If necessity presented its self we could and would develop of alternative energy resources that would do away with the need to by oil from anyone and this is a FACT we have done it before and we can do it again.

We don't need to replace the oil, we have our own. The cost of oil would go down if we were to stop interfereing. We all forget that an embargo is for all intents and purposes an act of agression, lets see if we can't forget Pearl Harbor. This is an ideological dispute they cite yet a financial dispute we're starting. Yes, we are starting this war. Human life is never worth a tank of gas. I was a marksmanship instructor in the Marines and if I left knowing anything it is that: being able to kill is easy, justifying murder is nigh impossible. If you can, please, I implore you to try to see things from their side, lets not act rashly, let us try to be humane.

razor is correct. Opponents of military action against Iran assume a U.S. military strike would be far more dangerous than simply letting Tehran build a bomb. Not so, argues this former Pentagon defense planner. With a carefully designed strike, Washington could mitigate the costs—or at least bring them down to a bearable level—and spare the region and the world from an unacceptable threat.

Obviously they aren't, do you think Saudi-Arabia and all the other countries in the area would be happy if Iran cuts off all their exports and imports? Rather not...

Apart from that so far there's obviously no need at all to keep it open, Iran didn't close it and quite certainly won't close it.
If they close it they would mess pretty muchwith the entire rest of the world.

And if it should really be necessary the European countries can deploy a whole bunch of warships to the area within one or two weeks.

You know what I think? I think North Korea and Iran want to start some shit at the same time for the US and figure that the US will be so busy fighting both of them that they will wind up losing on both sides.
I think NK and Iran have been planning this for a long time. I believe very strongly that the US can win the wars, but it would be a tough win for sure if both take them on at the same time, the US would have to bring in all their allies to win this one. Maybe those assholes would think twice about cauing the BS if they got their asses whipped!!!!!!!!!!!!

huh... wonder what have happened if the US took that attitude at the onset of WWII...

March 29, 2012 at 6:51 pm |

EuropeisDevil

Who do you think is protecting your sorry asses from Russia. Why do you think the Americans are in Europe? They're there to protect the incompetent sorry asses and when Ameica needs help, no one wants to chip in.

US are creating themselves more enemies worldwide than ever before, and we all know when you have to many enemies you end up being out numbered. This Iran thing should be taken with great care otherwise i sense a very bad thing for US. Attacking Iran is the point of no return, once it will be started nothing will stop this and the US could pay a price they'll never recover from.

March 29, 2012 at 8:24 pm |

johnconnnor

why the fuk wud they want to pick a fight with the big kid on the block....we are the ones pushing for war! Iran or NK are not preparing to launch an attack on us...they are not sending their ships to the gulf ??

if the US isn't "pulling punches" and not playing the " we wont cross the 38th parallel game", or "we aren't going to bomb laos and cambodia" game, or the "dont't kill civilians" game The US will win any war it enters quickly. Shock and Awe are actually concepts that the US can bring to bear on any country, we just need the reason and the will.

cnn sucks it is a terroist orginazation and should be banned. God bless Isreal and timothy . Damn the terrroist in the white house and all over the world.osama obama is a thief he didn't give me insurance health nor my two year old may God damn those thieves in the white house and congress and senate to the hell fires where they will be raped by the devil along side homomhamid and bin laden and hitler The real God bless Isreal and Timothy. Amen

Yes, dt, SkyNet is real. We have unmanned drones killing people in Pakistan, Afghanistan, even Yemen. We have land-based capabilities as well. And there are the secret networks. Just a matter of time before it all rolls up together...

March 29, 2012 at 6:47 pm |

WarMongers

Don't rely too much on those drones, they're remote controlled and can be easily scramble to bring them to blind drones. Anything which are remote controlled are controlled from a distance using frequencies, any frequencies can be jammed or scrambled. Don't praise those drones too much they have their weakness just like any high tech weapons out there.

March 29, 2012 at 8:29 pm |

wavejump1100

what? you sound like a rambling lunatic. obama is trying to get universal health care. blame the republicans if we dont get it. they appointed the conservatives to the supreme court.

the zionist are war mongers and America would be better dropping them as an ally. any ally that fires on OUR ships, corrupts the political system here with their zionist influence peddling, and spying on our government – cannot be a very good ally. Time the Palestinian people were given their rights and that UN resolutions the jews ignored were enforced.
Why should the U.S. of A pay for the jewish occupation of the palestian homelands.

World War III is just around the corner. No empire lasted for ever. We are no exception.

March 29, 2012 at 6:49 pm |

paul

and the palestinians keep whining and crying and chanting the palestinian mantra: 'woe is me, woe is me, everyone but us is responsible for our misery" while attacking israel with rockets and bus bombers and constant propaganda and then coming on this site, posting crap and victim rhetoric. oh, so sad.

March 29, 2012 at 7:35 pm |

WarMongers

Truthseeker you have words of wisdom there, you are absolutely right. Everything has an end, fortunately.

The word is imploding, not emploding. And the US economy is more sound than you think. Recall also that the US economy's past troubles was the result of the Real-Estate crash of 2008, not military spending.

America is trying to keep the Straits of Hormuz open and safe for ALL mankind. We always do the dirty and brave work around this crazy world. Why can't your country do this for a change? Wait cause your country is poor and weak and your goverment is saying "Let the Americans handle it'... We are not trying to start a war, we are trying to prevent it.

What do they say? 3 strikes and you're out? Let's see, Iraq, Afghanistan and Iran will be the 3rd strike to send USA over the debt cliff.......start learning Mandarin cuz the Chinese are gona own all our a$$es after this!

we arent going to occupy anything (thats what made iraq and afghanistan so expensive). this one will be cheap and it is very necessary... just bombs from the air. If we dont do it... then comes the expensive part when we are paying 200 a barrel for oil and even ignorant citizens like yourself will start understand why oil is important.

Just fuckin kill em all already. Take their oil, rape their resources, and obliterate their homes. Don't act like its not what you want to do, because it is. Do it now and we can all come out of this alrite, wait till they have a nuke and thats going to be the first thing deployed when you try to invade later. I want to blow shit up and you know you want to aswell, pull your heads out of your asses and lets go fuck them up before they go nuclear.

why don't we just send you over to the taliban and see how many you will blow up before they stick a rocket launcher up ur a$$.... the rest of us are fine and have no desire start a war to kill more civilians, lose more troops, and bankrupt the country!

Let us not forget when the economy is in crisis you start a war to put everybody back to work, it was due to world war 2 that we got out of the great depression, its not the wars that are bankrupting us it's the policies that the current administration practices.

March 29, 2012 at 6:20 pm |

time

Hey man, the reality is the Excited States have been nuclear for decades and are still fucked up and nobody attacked Sammy to achieve this. Best results always come from the global village negotiation table and its less costly even with the best cuisine and whine. So keep ingesting your soda&fries.

Wait, not yet, hold on – My wife who is still an active US Navy Nurse is still in the region. Let's do this when she returns home safe. Then let the missles fly and the bombs fall!! I wish I was still active duty and there to help out.

A mad rush into the 'theatre' for the best seats? Don't forget to bring the projector and the butterless fat free popcorn.
I think it would more healthy, profitable and less damaging if they just let Hollywood entertain us with saber rattling manure

When the USA went to Kuwait and Irak the taxpayers paid for it and we didn't get anything from them in return. This time we should be politically incorrect, for a change, get the oil and solve our problems.

II see logic in many of the previous comments. Some rage, perhaps rightly so, against perceived US imperialistic and military complex tendencies while others fear the possession of nukes by a small group of politicians who have waged a 30 year long proxy war against the US. The bottom line is that Iran is not doing anything to defuse the situation and frankly the thought of a radical religious government in Iran possessing nukes makes me lean towards military preemption. Many think that Iran would attack with nukes if they get them because their government publically states that their goal is the destruction of Israel and the US. How many leaders of countries constantly say they are going to utterly destroy another country?. 2. North Korea and Iran. Over and over we hear their threats and the bottom line is IIran & Korea have positioned themselves to be utterly destroyed in any war with the US. Do you really think the US or IIsrael is going to rely on "surgical" strikes against an adversary that may ALREADY HAVE NUKES? Iran has fashioned its destruction and Iranians can thank their supremely ignorant lleaders for talking the West into annihilating them.

you are right, they [iran] are doing the same thing hussein [iraq] did, they are pulling on superman's cape and whether they are right or wrong, its not a good idea for the cape puller, never has been as japan found out. if the US doesn't pull punches, the US will win any war it enters easily enough

Hey dumb ass, name a war we have won recently like in the last forty years without making a fucking fool of yourself by naming some waste like Grenada. You most likely have never had a uniform on, probably to stupid to pass the mental tests. Punk

March 29, 2012 at 6:06 pm |

rick

ooooooooo jet is a name caller........ooooooooooo "punk" .........ooooooooooooo very persuasive argument.........oooooooo

March 29, 2012 at 6:10 pm |

johnconnnor

"oooo"ing like a fuccing owl didn't make you look any smarter! oooooo 🙂

March 29, 2012 at 6:21 pm |

time

I'm glad the US is trading again with Vietnam. History notes, the only war Sammy won on his own was against his own!

March 29, 2012 at 6:25 pm |

WarMongers

No Rick you're wrong, Jet only said it like it is and he's right.

March 29, 2012 at 8:41 pm |

stalling to do nothing even after election

Hurricane , this will not be the strom you think from obama , i agree with most of your post , but obama is being dragged kicking and sceaming into this, obama does not want the job , if obama could he would talk about this until there was a flash over israel or a test bomb goes off in iran. the one thing that obama and gang does not see coming is the mind set of putin , and all the hopes and promises of understanding may very well be kick aside by putin but we will have to wait and see.

There's a reason you're a loader, pal! Why is everyone so scared of Iran? The reason is because everyone here is so stupid they listen to propaganda from the media and scare tactics employed by the gov't and don't take things into perspective. Iran wants occupation of US ended and that's not an outrageous thing to want. What would we do if China had military bases in Canada looking over our shoulders? What's the only country that's ever used a nuke? The US when we were losing WWII. And then we get scared when a country wants one of their own? Baffling, how you people think. Let's stop sending money to Israel and start paying our teachers more. We obviously have too many retards in this country these days. The majority voted for Bush! Twice! We get offended when a country won't bow to our ideals? Why don't we mind our own business and get our troops back home? Why don't we fight the war on terror in an efficient manor? 15 of the hijackers on 911 were from Saudi Arabia but somehow we're still buddy-buddy with them. BAFFLING! More innocent people have died in Iraq than is humane. White phosphorus they're using over there killing and deforming little kids. The problem with this country is that we think we owe it to the world to be a hero for "Freedom" and liberties when our occupation is exactly the opposite of those ideals. Would you like it if some soldiers raped your daughter then shot her in the head? There's a reason the least educated are on the front lines-natural selection of the inept. Why don't we have 40 SEAL teams do what all those idiot privates can't? $700 million/ day for the war is outrageous! And to know that 51% of my income tax goes to fund these hackjobs who come back to society and can't fit in because they didn't have capable minds to begin with is ridiculous. My buddies are officers and they know that what's going on isn't right. Have more ambition in your life than bombing innocent people. I forget, you wouldn't have a job if it weren't for you having to load bombs. Educate yourself, pal.

March 29, 2012 at 7:30 pm |

WarMongers

Brain at least it shows that there is at least one sane person left in US these days, very well said.

March 29, 2012 at 8:46 pm |

Officers?

Brain..your buddies are officers huh? And therefore that makes them the subject matter experts? Just because they put four years in at some liberal arts college and walked away with a piece of paper in Mass Communications doesn't make them intelligent. I have had to work for some fairly inept officers; some had trouble forming intelligent sentences. "Have 40 SEAL teams do what all those idiot privates can't"? Seems like an intelligent move to just drop a SEAL team into the middle of a country without having sent troops in first to help secure a safe area. Keep watching your movies and talking to your officer buddies.

March 29, 2012 at 10:15 pm |

BravoShocker

More provocation, more war drums for Israel. I'm sick of it. I sure hope Iran gets its nuclear weapon soon. I'm American by the way.

the $hithole of a country you should be referring to is Israel that is causing all this trouble... Israel is the reason for all the crap 'merica gets involved with in the middle east. Iran is actually offering the world the best oil at the cheapest price right now! India is buying it, china is buying is buying it ...why aren't you. I don't remember Iran putting sanctions on Canada? I'm an 'merican and i'm sick and tired of paying the price so Israel can have a good life...screw them ! It's time to focus on 'merica and get this leach off our back.

ohh and i also think for all the problems in the world, we should "BLAME CANADA"

March 29, 2012 at 5:55 pm |

rick

how is the weather in dearborn today. "american"? been on the hookah all day?

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